January is
national Learn
to Ski and Snowboard month and there are many opportunities for people to
learn new snowsports at a discount, or even free. Vermont, being home to
several adaptive sport associations, is also providing free adaptive lessons at
alpine and Nordic resorts.

Resorts nationwide
will host the World’s
Largest Lesson on Friday, January 8, 2016. Vermont Adaptive is offering
free adaptive lessons at 10 a.m. at each of their locations: Pico Mountain,
Sugarbush Resort and Bolton Valley. For more information visit www.vermontadaptive.org.

Winter
Trails Day is another national learn-to program offering free cross country
skiing and snowshoeing on Saturday, January 9, 2016. Find a list of
participating resorts at www.wintertrails.org.

The
following day, Sunday, January 10, 2016, the Northeast Disabled Athletic
Association with support from the Vermont Governor’s Council of Physical
Fitness and Sports will host an adaptive Nordic sit-ski clinic at Rikert Nordic
Center. Interested participants will receive a free trail pass and lesson from
11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Call NDAA at 802-862-NDAA (6322) to reserve a space.

Further
information about statewide and Vermont resort specific adaptive programs:

Bolton
Valley
The Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports programs at Bolton Valley are primarily
known for serving a lot of school groups, veterans groups, and a large client
base of athletes with developmental disabilities. The programs at Bolton Valley
have more than 100 dedicated and loyal volunteers during the winter season.
Bolton Valley is a proud supporter of the organization and the resort
finds that being a host site for Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports is a
great partnership as the organization helps get more people outside and
enjoying snow sports.

Mount
Snow
AbilityPLUS at Mount Snow provides adaptive ski and snowboard lessons to
individuals of all ages with any type of disability, from children with autism
to individuals with severe physical impairments. AbilityPLUS is a special part
of Mount Snow where children and adults with physical or intellectual
disabilities team up with extraordinary instructors and experience the joy and
freedom of sliding down a snowy slope unencumbered by a wheelchair or braces.
Our lessons are specially tailored to each individual's abilities and goals.

Pico
Mountain
Pico Mountain is home to Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports, a non-profit
organization dedicated to providing recreational opportunities to people with
disabilities. Vermont Adaptive offers ski and snowboard clinics at Pico, where
Vermont Adaptive instructors teach lessons for all ability levels. Students may
book lessons as individuals or as part of a group. Family members or friends of
the Vermont Adaptive students are invited to participate and, if interested,
can learn the adaptation needed to help their skier achieve as much
independence as possible. Clinics are by appointment only, and include lift
ticket, private adaptive instruction and adaptive equipment. For more
information, call 802-353-7584 or 802-786-4991 for the administrative office or
visit Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports.

Smugglers’
Notch Resort
Smugglers' Notch Resort’s Adaptive Program provides therapeutic recreation for
children and adults of all abilities. Winter snowsports experiences are
tailored to meet the needs and goals of each individual. Some program
participants may benefit from the support of two instructors, while others may
be appropriately paired with one instructor. Smugglers’ also offers an
inclusion program with its ski and snowboard programs for children, giving the
opportunity to socialize with peers while still maintaining the support needed
through the adaptive program. Half and full day lessons are available.
Smugglers' adaptive program maintains an inventory of adaptive equipment
including mono-skis, bi-skis and a slider. Snowboarding is also available.
Inquiries may be addressed to the adaptive program staff at (802) 644-8502.

Sugarbush
Resort
Sugarbush Resort hosts Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports at Mt. Ellen all season
long. Vermont Adaptive provides ski and snowboard experiences and equipment for
disabled skiers and riders of all ages. They believe that recreation provides a
physical, mental, and social experience that is immeasurable in promoting
self-confidence and independence in an individual. For more information on
Vermont Adaptive and for scheduling please call 802-583-4283.

Northeast
Disabled Athletic Association(NDAA)
is a Burlington-based, 501 C 3 not-for-profit sports organization is
dedicated to providing persons with physical disabilities the opportunity
to engage in competitive and recreational sports. Founded in 2003, we
offer several outdoor winter sports including Nordic sit-skiing, biathlon
and sled hockey as well as indoor winter sports including wheelchair tennis and
wheelchair basketball. We are run by an all-volunteer board and serve
about 350-400 athletes a year. To attend a clinic, take a lesson or
inquire about an equipment rental call us at 802-862-NDAA (6322).

Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports is the largest year-round disabled sports
non-profit organization in Vermont offering the most diverse program
opportunities and unique, specialized equipment. Vermont Adaptive promotes
independence and furthers equality through access and instruction to sports and
recreational opportunities including alpine skiing, snowboarding, and other
winter sports; kayaking, canoeing, sailing, cycling, hiking, rock climbing,
tennis, horseback riding, and more. We serve clients of all abilities with
physical, cognitive and emotional disabilities from all over the world in three
locations in Vermont during the winter – Killington Resort and Pico Mountain in Killington; Sugarbush Resort in Warren; and Bolton Valley in Bolton.